A Few of Our Favorite Things

At a recent networking event, somebody asked Anita what her favorite project management tools are.
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Anita’s answer: she doesn’t have any. As experienced project managers, we use the tools our clients are most comfortable with. Our clients’ favorite tools become ours.
 
The question, however, prompted us to think about our favorite things. What helps us find beauty in the world? In our work? In our lives?
 
At Reach Partners, we emphasize values and process. We celebrate the relationships we build through trust. So, you likely won’t be surprised to see that many of our favorite things are experiences and traditions, ways of connecting with others. Others are simply things that make us smile as we do our job.
 
It turns out we do have a list of favorites! Here they are:

Weekly Family Dinner.  A core of my extended family meets weekly for dinner – and has been doing this for over 25 years. It’s a way to keep connected when everyone is occupied with all that life brings. We meet as a family for an inexpensive meal, share the highlights, celebrate the little things, catch up on life, which over time builds the important inroads for connection and closeness. – Rachel
 
Two-Hour Lunch Dates. I absolutely love one-on-one time where the conversation meanders through many topics. A long lunch means time to catch up, enjoy good food, and connect more deeply. Bonus: I get this person all to myself for a couple of hours; I don’t have to share the time. Also, this is true: I either take a two-hour lunch or eat at my desk. Apparently, I do extremes. – Anita
 
Social Exercise. I’ve learned I need social pressure to do the hard work of taking care of my body. When I’m meeting with someone to walk, jog, lift wights or improve functional strength, I’m eager to get up – even early in the morning. I anticipate the time for connecting, pushing each other, and feeling a sense of play. – Rachel
 
Smooth Writing Tools. I only write with nice pens. My current favorite is Uniball. If a pen smudges or leaves too much ink, it goes straight in the trash. I have discovered that the pen doesn’t need to be pricey. A few conference giveaways and some branded pens have found their way into my purse. I’ve even taken some after a stop at my bank (which, let’s be honest, is precisely what Gate City wants).
 
I don’t use a pen as much since getting my reMarkable 2, a digital paper tablet I’ve used for almost four years. I use it primarily for work but keep a few personal files too. It converts my handwriting to text, syncs to my phone and computer, and can connect to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. I change the pen tips regularly (see above paragraph – I’m picky about how that pen feels).
 
Let me know if you want to try it. I wish I got a commission; I’ve helped sell more than a few. – Anita
 
Laughing Until My Side Hurts. There are a few good people and places where I can find an optimal level of levity: jokes told in whispers; the scene in Bruce Almighty where Steve Carell loses the ability to speak; inside jokes resurrected from years ago. I also laugh at inappropriate tag lines and the reading aloud of anything misspelled. (Misspellers Untie!) – Rachel
 
Commutes. I drive 27 miles or 30 minutes to work, and my favorite stretch is from my house to the edge of Fargo. I love the North Dakota plains, the summer growth of corn, beans, sugar beets, and sunflowers. I see more sunsets than sunrises, and I use the time for phone calls, a podcast, or quiet reflection—transition time between work and home.
 
The other morning, I watched a bald eagle fly. The day before, I saw a small, vibrant rainbow with each color clearly visible. If it hadn’t faded, I could’ve driven straight to the pot of gold.  – Anita
 
Organized Meeting Agendas and Notes. I write a lot of agendas and meeting notes to share with project teams.  Organizing files by date is a game-changer. For example, naming a file 04-10-2025 Project LMNOP Agenda makes everything easier to find in my Dropbox.
 
When I get files with a different naming system, I always add the date at the beginning before saving. A folder full of files titled “Project LMNOP Agenda [insert date]” makes it hard to find the current agenda—or any specific one, really. – Anita
 
Handwritten Notes. Handwritten notes still rank high on my list. I love to send them, and I love to receive them. When I need a quick energy boost, grabbing a notecard and a nice pen to jot a short message always does the trick. – Anita
 
This list reminds us of the lyrics from “My Favorite Things” in The Sound of Music.
 
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with string . . .
 
What are a few of your favorite things?